Adjustable measuring vessel



Jan. 27, 1953 F. R. CHESTE 2,623,526`

ADJUSTABLE MEASURNG VESSEL Filed May 25, 1950 MIM ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 27, r1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE' 2,626,526 ADJUSTABLE MEASURING VESSEL Frank R. Chester, Santa Monica, Calif. j

Application May 23, 1950, Serial No. 163,773

7 Claims. (Cl. 'i3-429) This invention relates to measuring devices, and particularly to a device adapted for use in measuring selected, relatively small .amounts of .loose material, such as ingredients used in cooking and for other purposes.

Various devices have been employed in the pas for measuring or metering small amounts of loose, powdery material, one such device being disclosed in my Patent, No. 2,496,268, for Adjustable Measuring Receptacle, issued February 7, 1950. Such devices are of the adjustable type capable of measuring desired amounts of the loose material. While these adjustable devices are quite eicient in performing their intended function they have several disadvantages, one of vwhich is that they are constructed-from metal parts which must be fabricated from sheet metal and assembled by separate fastening elements or by bending the metal to provide interengaging connector portion. Such a method of constructing and assembling the components results in a relatively expensive cost of manufacture and in addition, unless the parts are made from costly stainless metal, they are subject to corrosion which eventually renders the measuring devices unsuitable for use. Moreover, since the parts are permanently connected, they cannot be disassembled for the purpose of cleaning the same. For this reason it is practically impossible to cleanse the device thoroughly in order to remove material which accumulates between the relatively movable elements, and this results in an unsanitary condition.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate the deficiencies of prior adjustable measuring devices by providing a device of this general character which is constructed entirely from molded plastic material so as to greatly minimize the cost of manufacture. A related object is to provide a device of the type specified which is composed of only two relatively simple components adapted for economical mass production methods of manufacture.

Another object is to provide a device, of the character referred to, in which the two parts are releasably retained in assembled relation byinterengaging portions of the parts themselves so that the use of extraneous mechanical fastening elements for the purpose is avoided. By this provision the cost of assembling the device is reduced to a minimum, and this results in a substantial saving to the buyer. Another important advantage of this construction resides in the fact thatthe device may be readily assembled and disassembled by the user, so that the parts can be thoroughly cleansed following each use of the device and subsequently assembled for use at a later time.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable measuring device in which the 2 parts are slidable longitudinally relative to each other so as to vary the capacity of a scoop or receptacle at one end of the device. A related object is to providean extremely simple means for releasably retaining the elements in their adjusted positions, this means consisting of interengaging detent means on the elements which are held in engagement by the resiliency of one of the elements. In the present device, the detent means is entirely concealed from view and this is another important feature and object of the invention, since it greatly enhances the appearance of the article as a Whole and adds to its salability.

A further object is to provide a device of the type indicated which measures desired amounts of material with accuracy, and which includes means for indicating the volume of material scooped up by the device, the pointer of this indicatingvmeans being embodied in the means for retaining the elements in assembled relationship.

Further objects will appear from the following description and from the drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the adjustable measuring device;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View, taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional View, taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device, showing in full lines the manner in which the adjustable member is inserted and removed from the handle member, and indicating in broken lines one operative position assumed by the member;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the adjusting member;

Fig. 7 is a part-sectional side View of the handle member; and,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of an alternative construction.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the present improved measuring device includes a handle member II) which is preferably molded froma suitable plastic material. The handle member IU has a central portion II of inverted channel shape, this portion having a top wall I2 and depending parallel side walls I3.

Molded integrally with the portion II at one end thereof is a bowl-like scoop I5 which -preferably has a capacity of one tablespoon. At its lower tapered portion the scoop I5 has circular ridges or steps I6 on its interior for indicating fractions of a tablespoon.

At the other end of the handle member I0 the side walls I3 are extended longitudinally and are joined by a rearward end wall I8. A bottom wall I9 extends between the projected side walls I3, the bottom wall terminating at a point below the rearward end of the top wall and dening therewith a vertical opening .28. The projected side walls I3,the end wall I8, andthe bottom wall I9 define a rectangularly shaped receptacle or scoop 2 I, the forward end of which is formed by means to be presently described. The central portion II of the handle member IO-is provided with an elongated opening 22 in its top vwall I2, the opening extending forwardly from the 'mid portion of the wall I2 to a point adjacent the juncture of the central portion I I and the tablespoon scoop I5. As shown in Fig. 1, the rearward end of the opening 22 has a widened portion 23 at `its rearward end. Molded graduations 1A, 1/2, 3A, and 1 (full teaspoon) are providedon the upper surface of the'top wall-|2. Referringnow to Figs. and 7, the lower surface of the-top wall I2 rearwardly of the opening 22, 23 is provided with four Vlongitudinally spaced indentations or detent notches 25, 26, 21, and 28. The top wall I2 is also provided with a downwardly projecting stop lug 29-at its rearward end.

The adjustable measuring device also includes a member33 which consists of a molded strip of flexible plastic'material;the'strip being bowed upwardly 'at'its'ends At isrearward end, the strip 38 has a downwardly projecting flange V3| which is dimensioned to` adapt it'to nt within the scoop 2| s0 as to provide the adjustable forward wall thereof inthe manner Ato be later'explained. 'At its mid portion the member 30 has anupstanding lug projection or abutment 32. The member3ll valso has an upwardlyV projecting lug 33 at its'forward end,*the lug being T-shaped in outline to providelaterally projecting lugs 34.

The two members I0 and 30 constitute the only parts of the present improved measuring device. To assemble these components, the flanged end 3| of the member 3U is inserted into the receptacle 2| in a rearward direction' through the opening 2i). The member 30 is then slid rearwardly to align'itsv lug33withthe widened portion 23 of the opening 22. 'At this time the lug of the member 30 is disposed just rearwardly of the rearward end ofthe top wall I2. 'By' pressing the forward end of the member'30 upwardly and depressing its central portion, 'and' simultaneous- 1y sliding the 'member '30 forwardly, the lug l33 is caused to enter 'the 'narrow' portion of the opening 22and the detent 'projection '32 moves for; wardly underthe stop lug 29, this condition being shown in full lines in Fig. 5. As the projection 32 moves forwardly beyond 'the stop lugl 29, it snaps upwardly, due to the inherent flexibility of the member 30 and comes to rest'in the rfirst detent Vnotch 25 of the handlemembe'r I0. The projection 32 serves'to' spring the central portion of the member 30 downwardly and, since the fingers 34 engage the handle II,` the flange 3| is maintained in engagement with the bottom wallv I9. At this Vtime the lug 33 of the member is disposed in alignment with the graduation 1/4 and this signies-that the volume of the portion of the scoop or receptacle 2| defined between the end wall I8 and the adjustable flange 3| is equal to l1/4 teaspoon.

Thus, if it is desired to measure and dispense a quarter of a teaspoon of loose'material, the l receptacle y2| is used to scoop up the desired quantity from the container of' material, the lat ter being subsequently levelled along the top of the receptacle before dispensing'the same. If a lhalf teaspoon of the'material is desired thememwith the graduationv 1/2.

`ceptacle 2|. theinotches to 28 are rounded slightly to facil- Vgreater distance from the end wall I8 so as to increase the efective volume of the scoop or re- `It is to be noted that the sides of itate the adjustment of the measuring member along the handle member. The projection 32 is yieldingly retained in the notches 25 to 28 due to the resilient naturefofthe-memberSIl so that undesired longitudinal movement of the vvlatter is eifectively resisted.

vIt has been stated that `ther-present devicels adapted to be readily disassembled for cleaning purposes. To accomplish this desirablevresult, the assembly process explained labove is reversed. That isto sayythe member 38is slid-rearwardly and bowed downwardly to cause its projection-32 to pass beneath the Astop lug 29 and Ato disengage its lug 33 from the handle member ID Vby way of the widened portion "23 of the opening 22. vThe memberSI) then may be completely removed by sliding it forwardly to removeits ange`3| from thereceptacle 2|.

Referring now to Fig. 8, thepresent invention also contemplates the alternative construction shown therein. In this modification, the member 31|' carries a rivet-like fastening element 40 which has'a shank portion 4| vslidable longitudinally within an `elongated opening 22 provided in the top wall I2' of the handle 'member lIII. The "member 38 has a vilange 3|' which forms the front wallof the vreceptacle 2| V'and'which is sli'dable longitudinally to vary thecapacityof the receptacle. An upwardly projecting protuberance 42 on the 'member is adapted tofsnap into `any of.k a series of longitudinally spaced indentations '43 provided inthe lower 'surface of the top Vwall I2 of the 'handle member I0'. As in the device illustrated in Figs. l through 7, the member 30 maybe flexible" to maintain its'flange 3|' seated against the bottom wall 0f the receptacle 2|. The element''has a lrounded head 44 which engagesfagainstthetop surfacebi'the handle 'member it'o retain the parts in connected relationship, this head 'serving'as a viinger-pieec by which the'member can 'be slid longitudinally.

It isseen from the'foregoing ldescription that thel present adjustable `measuring device is extremely simple iin construction, being composed ofonly two parts. each `of vwhich is vadapted for economical mass production by plastic molding operations. Since the two 'components'are quickly assembled without expert `tting `and without` the use Aof "screws, rivets, `or other mechanical 'fastening means, the over-all lcostof the article ismaintained at a minimum. The device is highly efficient' and Yacc'uratedn rmeasuring desired quantities of loose bulk material, and is easily operated. As an important feature, the twoV parts of the device are 'made from light-weight Vplastic material which is readily disassembled to permit such cleaning, so that material which may accumulate between the components can be "easily washed away to lrender 'the device completely sanitary.

While the device is herein disclosedias v'ernbodiedin apreferred formof constructionj'by wa'y of'example 'it'will be apparent that -various modifications might be made in the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. An adjustable measuring device, comprising: a handle member provided with an elongated receptacle at one end, said receptacle having a wall at one end and an opening at its other end; a flexible adjusting member adjustable longitudinally along said handle member and extending through said opening, said adjusting member having a transverse flange disposed within said receptacle, said flange being adapted, when said adjusting member is adjusted longitudinally, to vary the volume of said receptacle defined between said wall and said flange; and lug means on said adjusting member engaging said handle member and iiexing said adjusting member, so as to retain said flange within said receptacle and to provide frictional resistance to sliding movement of said adjusting member.

2. An adjustable measuring device, comprising: a handle member provided with an elongated receptacle at one end, said receptacle having a wall at one end and an opening at its other end; a flexible adjusting member adjustable longitudinally along said handle member and extending through said opening, said adjusting member having a transverse ange disposed within said receptacle, said flange being adapted, when said adjusting member is adjusted longitudinally, to vary the volume of said receptacle defined between said walls and said flange; lug means on said adjusting member engaging said handle member and flexing said adjusting member so as to retain said flange within said receptacle and to provide frictional resistance to sliding movement of said adjusting member, and detent means on said handle member for retaining said adjusting member in different positions of longitudinal adjustment.

3. An adjustable measuring device, comprising: a handle member provided with an elongated receptacle at one end, said receptacle having a wall at one end and an opening at its other end; a exible adjusting member adjustable longitudinally along said handle member and extending through said opening, said adjusting member having a transverse flange disposed within said receptacle, said flange being adapted, when said adjusting member is adjusted longitudinally, to vary the volume of said receptacle dened between said wall and said fiange; lug means on said adjusting member engaging said handle member and flexing said adjusting member, so as to retain said fiange within said receptacle and to provide frictional resistance to sliding movement of said adjusting member; and longitudinally spaced detent depressions on said handle member for receiving said lug means so as to yieldingly retain said adjusting member in dierent positions of longitudinal adjustment.

4. An adjustable measuring device, comprising: a handle member provided with an elongated receptacle at one end, said receptacle having a wall at one end and an opening at its other end; a flexible adjusting member adjustable longitudinally along said handle member and extending through said opening, said adjusting member having a transverse fiange disposed Within said receptacle, said iiange being adapted, when said adjusting member is adjusted longitudinally, to vary the volume of said receptacle deiined between said wall and said fiange; lug means on said adjusting member engaging said handle member and flexing said adjusting member, so as to retain said flange within said receptacle and to provide frictional resistance to sliding movement of said adjusting member; longitudinally spaced detent depressions on said handle member for receiving said lug means so as to yieldingly retain said adjusting member in different positions of longitudinal adjustment; and indicator means on said adjusting member registrable with graduations on said handle member.

v5. An adjustable measuring device, comprising: a handle member of inverted channel shape having a top wall and depending side walls, said top wall having an elongated opening therein, said member having an elongated measuring receptacle disposed beyond an end of said top Wall, said receptacle being defined by continuations of said side Walls, a bottom Wall and a rearward end Wall; a flexible adjusting member having a first end slidable longitudinally within said receptacle and having an angularly extending flange providing an adjustable front Wall for said receptacle, said adjusting member having a second end underlying said handle member and provided with an upstanding guide slidable in said elongated opening; retaining means on said guide means engaging said handle member for retaining said guide in said opening; and a projection on said adjusting member intermediate its ends, said projection engaging against the bottom surface of said handle member and slidable therealong, said engagement effecting bowing of said adjusting member downwardly and providing frictional resistance to sliding movement thereof, sliding movement of said adjusting member varying the volume of the portion of said receptacle between said fixed rearward wall and said longitudinally adjustable front wall.

6. A device of the character defined in claim 5, in which said guide has laterally projecting fingers engaging the upper surface of said handle member along the longitudinal edges of said opening.

'1. A device of the character defined in claim 5, in which said guide has laterally projecting fingers engaging the upper surface of said handle member along the longitudinal edges of said opening, said opening having a widened portion at its end nearest said receptacle through which said guide can move vertically to permit mounting of said measuring member on and removal from said handle member.

FRANK R. CHESTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 808,967 Arrowsmith Jan. 2, 1906 2,165,642 Mayer July 11, 1939 2,396,943 Frank Mar. 19, 1946 2,496,268 Chester Feb. 7, 1950 

